Basketball New Zealand

Heat Mike Bell (Photosport)

The Appliance Shed Harbour Heat made no race of the Battle of the Bridge at the North Shore Events Centre tonight, beating cross town rivals Youthtown Auckland Stars 88 – 71 in a one sided NZCT National Basketball League encounter.

With the Youthtown Stars struggling for impact from the bench, they were always relying heavily on their starters to get the job done but they were no match for an increasingly impressive Heat side that boasts good depth thanks to recent acquisitions in Mike Bell, BJ Anthony and Prem Krishna.

Bell in particular improves his output each week, contributing not only on the boards and in the paint but with his outside shooting tonight (4 from 4) hurting the Stars at crucial times while BJ Anthony contributed a double double with 11 points and 10 boards.

Mychal Green is the energy in the Heat side, the American backed up his player of the week honours last week with another all round effort that included 3 steals, a blocked shot and 5 boards to go with his 13 points.

On a night when his long range radar was off, Corey Webster provided his usual diet of jumpers and drives for 25 points while the bench all enjoyed good court time in a game that the Heat led by 30 midway through the final quarter.

The win for the Heat guarantees them a spot in the play-offs. The Stars loss puts them in a precarious position of joining the already eliminated Devon Dynamos Taranaki in missing out on the 2009 play-Offs. With one spot up for grabs in the top six the Hawks look to have the inside running and will be hoping to get a win over the Cougars tomorrow night (Friday). The Hawks will be hoping Paora Winitana and Paul Henare do not spoil the party in their return to Pettigrew Arena.

In other round 11 action this weekend the Pistons will be looking to extend their six game winning strea againts the Dynamos (Friday night) as they chase the converted top spot going into the play-offs. The game of the round features first place Giants taking on third place Saints at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson on Saturday night – tip off 7pm.

Thursday, May 21

At North Shore Event Centre

Appliance Shed Harbour Heat 88 (Corey Webster 25, Mike Bell 22, Mychal Green 13) v Youthtown Auckland Stars 71 (Casey Frank 19, Dillon Boucher 12, Hayden Allen 11), Final

Referees – Tim Brown, Gavin Whiu, Kieran Udy
1Q: 26-25
HT: 45-36 (19-11)
3Q: 66-52 (21-16)
FT: 88-71 (22-19)

Heat v Stars Boxscore (html 22KB)